Sustainable tourism beyond borders: the transnational dialogue of the BAG Project
A fruitful virtual meeting in the context of the Bag project, which brought together coordinators, experts and representatives of the third sector from Croatia, Spain and Italy. The objective of the meeting: share good practices, analyze territorial specificities and define a common roadmap for more sustainable tourism, inclusive and rooted in local communities.
Coordinated by Pull out, the meeting allowed professionals to immerse themselves in the realities of their respective countries, highlighting how sustainable tourism is not a single model, but a mosaic of solutions adapted to the context.
Local realities compared: from the coast to the hinterland
Nina Novinić (Croatia) illustrated the progressive transition from traditional coastal tourism to continental tourism, underlining how collaboration between local actors and the proactive role of private stakeholders are fundamental to overcoming initial resistance. Paula, representing the Spanish association The Cupula, brought attention to interculturality and social inclusion, highlighting the need for tourism policies that are less centralized and closer to different communities. From Italy, Marianna Addesso of Farm shared the challenges of the Cilento context, where the valorization of the historical heritage and the Mediterranean diet clashes with bureaucratic complexity and the need for a more structured dialogue between public and private.
Resilience, passion and conscious storytelling
At the center of the discussion a common denominator emerged: resilience and passion it is the transversal skills that keep sustainable projects alive. Participants agreed that success does not just depend on promoting a destination, but by the ability to construct an authentic narrative. As highlighted during the debate, marketing and self-promotion must serve to enhance the territory and the people who live there, not to impose a standardized product. The creation of solid networks and the sharing of long-term visions have been indicated as indispensable levers for creating a system.
The meeting demonstrated how transnational comparison is an indispensable driver for innovating the tourism sector. Thanks to the exchange between Croatia, Spain and Italy, the BAG Project confirms its mission: promote tourism that respects communities, enhance intangible heritage and build bridges between cultures.
Looking forward to the next in-person appointments, the work continues with the awareness that true sustainability comes from shared passion, from concrete collaboration and the ability to transform local challenges into global opportunities.
